Before they spoil in the fridge or develop mold, you can freeze your freshly picked blackberries by following a few steps. So outside of the summer season you can enjoy natural vitamins from fresh berries in smoothies, over oatmeal and simply as a snack. Find out here how you can store these delicious natural products in the freezer without losing taste or freezer burn.
Why you should freeze blackberries
Since these aredelicate fruitsIf you can't keep it in the fridge for long, your options are limited. You can start making blackberry pie like your life depends on it, serve every meal with a side of berries, or freeze them so you can enjoy blackberry season all year long. Thanks to a quick guide to freezing blackberries, you won't waste any of these valuable fruits. Plus, you can learn how to thaw and reuse these delicious berries in your favorite recipes. But what makes them so popular and beneficial for health?
Blackberries are edible berries of the genus Rubus in the rose family. Similar to their close cousin, the raspberry, blackberries contain notable amounts of vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium and fiber. They also contain very little total fat and zero saturated fatty acids. Additionally, there is a small amount of protein in blackberries, but most of their calories come in the form of carbohydrates. FreshnessfruitOf course, they taste best when eaten shortly after picking. However, you can also store these in the fridge overnight, but if you find an abundance of fresh berries on your hands, consider making frozen versions for future enjoyment.
This is how you can freeze blackberries
You can freeze blackberries at home using only a sieve, a baking sheet, baking paper and freezer-safe containers or freezer bags. To avoid freezer burn, try to use your fruit within six months. However, don't worry if it takes you longer to work through your stash. The berries will still be delicious. Basically, having blackberries in your diet is a very good thing. It only takes a few minutes to prepare your blackberries for freezing, while the process itself takes about 3 hours. For best results, begin the process below freezing when your fruit is at the peak of ripeness.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1:Rinse your berries. Blackberries are very delicate, so it is recommended to rinse them under tap water as gently as possible. For garden-grown and organically grown blackberries, this is as easy as running the sweet berries under cool water using a sieve. If your berries are not organic, consider soaking them in a bowl of cold water and vegetable wash for about 5 minutes to remove any pesticides or chemicals. Be careful when soaking and rinsing. Try not to bump the berries too much, as crushed pieces will not freeze as well as intact fruit.
Step 2:Lay out the blackberries to dry. You can do this as soon as the berries are rinsed. To do this, carefully spread the fruit on a clean kitchen towel. When doing this, make sure there is enough space around each berry to allow for optimal airflow. You can lightly blot the berries with a piece of paper towel or rotate them occasionally to speed up the drying process. After about 5 to 10 minutes they should be completely dry and ready for the next step.
Step 3:Transfer the fruit to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Find a baking sheet large enough to hold all of the berries. Use multiple sheets of paper if necessary. Then use the paper to line the tray. This prevents the berries from sticking to the metal when freezing. Place the berries on the parchment-lined tray, spreading them out so they aren't touching each other. The more space there is between the berries, the faster they will freeze.
Place blackberries in the freezer
Step 4:First, place the baking sheet with the berries in the freezer. Make sure you position the tray straight so that the berries don't roll around. Leave the whole thing in the freezer for at least 3 hours. At this point the berries should be frozen through and ready to be transferred to another container. You can also freeze the blackberries for longer. If necessary, you can leave them in overnight, but no longer than 12 hours or you risk freezer burn.
Step 5:Then fill your chosen container or freezer bag with the frozen berries. Sealable and reusable silicone bags and rigid containers all work well for this. Be sure to mark the container with the date and use the berries within 1 year.
Thaw and reuse blackberries
There are two super easy methods for defrosting frozen berries: the microwave and using cold water. To defrost blackberries in the microwave, you should first choose a microwave-safe container. Then set your microwave to defrost for 30 seconds. Stir the berries and place them in for another 30 seconds as they thaw.
However, if your recipe requires keeping your blackberries intact, consider skipping the microwave in favor of the cold water method. To thaw your blackberries using the cold water method, simply pour the berries into a large bowl and fill the bowl with cold water. Wait about 5 to 7 minutes. Once the berries have completely thawed, carefully drain the water and enjoy.
